census

[sen-suhs]

noun

plural

censuses 

1. an official enumeration of the population, with details as to age, sex or gender, occupation, etc.

2. (in ancient Rome) the registration of citizens and their property, for purposes of taxation.

verb (used with object)

1. to take a census of (a country, city, etc.).

   The entire nation is censused every 10 years.

census

/ ˈsɛnsəs /

noun

1. an official periodic count of a population including such information as sex, age, occupation, etc

2. any offical count

   a traffic census

3. (in ancient Rome) a registration of the population and a property evaluation for purposes of taxation

Other Word Forms

• censual adjective
• precensus noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of census¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin: “a listing and property assessment of citizens,” equivalent to cēns(ēre) “to assess, register (citizens) in a census” + -tus suffix of verb action; for -s- in place of -st- censor

Word History and Origins

Origin of census¹

C17: from Latin, from cēnsēre to assess

Example Sentences

Ten years later, it had swelled to more than 12,800 and grew further as the United States entered the Korean War and more service-connected families moved into the region, according to census data.

From Los Angeles Times

After looking at the list of the Cameron Highlander soldiers who were still missing from the Battle of Loos, Nicola narrowed the search to individual names which could be checked on the 1911 census.

From BBC

Once they finish their interviews, they weight the result to see that it includes the proper share of men and women, young and old, and other criteria based on census data.

From Los Angeles Times

Redistricting is the redrawing of congressional boundaries that typically occurs once a decade following the U.S. census to account for population shifts.

From Los Angeles Times

Newcastle, Gateshead and South Tyneside councils have all signed up to this year's census which takes place from Monday for seven days.

From BBC

Related Words

• enumeration 
• poll